Katie Leung: 5 Shocking Revelations—From Racist Abuse To Her Villainous Role In Bridgerton Season 4

Katie Leung, the Scottish actress who first captured global attention as Harry Potter’s first love interest, Cho Chang, is currently experiencing a massive career resurgence, moving into high-profile, complex roles and boldly speaking out about her past experiences. As of December 12, 2025, the most significant news surrounding her career is her casting in the highly anticipated Netflix drama, Bridgerton Season 4, where she will take on a pivotal, villainous role that marks a dramatic departure from her early fantasy franchise beginnings.

Leung's journey from a shy newcomer to a formidable stage and screen veteran is a testament to her resilience. Her recent, powerful public statements detailing the racist abuse she endured during her time on the Harry Potter films have sparked a crucial conversation in the industry, adding a layer of depth and topical authority to her public profile that extends far beyond the wizarding world. This article dives into the latest updates, her new projects, and the powerful legacy she is building.

Complete Biography and Career Timeline: From Glasgow to Global Stardom

Katie Liu Leung is a Chinese-Scottish actress whose career trajectory is defined by a willingness to challenge herself across film, television, and stage. Her initial casting in the Harry Potter series was a life-changing moment that propelled her into the spotlight, but her subsequent choices in roles—from gritty dramas to voice acting—have cemented her status as a versatile and enduring performer.

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• Full Name: Katie Liu Leung
• Date of Birth: August 8, 1987
• Age (as of 2025): 38 years old
• Birthplace: Dundee, Scotland
• Nationality: Scottish
• Ethnicity: Chinese-Scottish
• Education: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama), Edinburgh College of Art (Photography)
• Breakthrough Role: Cho Chang in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
• Major Voice Role: Caitlyn Kiramman in Arcane (2021)
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): $5 Million

Leung's career timeline shows a deliberate move toward more mature and challenging material after the conclusion of the Harry Potter franchise. She has consistently prioritized projects with strong narratives and complex characters, working with major networks and streaming platforms to build a diverse portfolio.

Key Film and Television Roles Beyond Hogwarts

• Harry Potter Series (2005–2011): Cho Chang
• One Child (2014): Mei Ashley (Miniseries)
• The Nest (2020): Eleanor Lloyd (BBC Miniseries)
• Roadkill (2020): Lily Chung (BBC/PBS Miniseries)
• Arcane (2021–Present): Voice of Caitlyn Kiramman (Netflix Animated Series)
• The Peripheral (2022): Ash (Amazon Prime Video Sci-Fi Series)
• Annika (2023): Blair Ferguson (Alibi Crime Drama)
• Chemistry of Death (2023): Maggie Duncan (Paramount+ Miniseries)
• Bridgerton Season 4 (2025/2026): Lady Araminta Gun (Netflix Drama)

The New Era: From Hogwarts to the Ton in Bridgerton Season 4

The most current and exciting development in Katie Leung’s career is her confirmed casting in Bridgerton Season 4, a move that is generating significant buzz among fans of both the wizarding world and the popular Netflix drama. Her involvement signals a major shift, placing her in one of the most-watched television series globally.

Leung will portray the character Lady Araminta Gun (sometimes credited as Lady Araminta Gunningworth), who is set to be a key rival in the season's central romance.

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In a recent interview, Leung described Lady Araminta Gun as a "mother-slash-villain," a character type that allows her to explore a much darker and more antagonistic side of performance. Specifically, Lady Araminta is the stepmother to Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha), who is expected to be the love interest for Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) in the new season. Her role as an obstacle or antagonist to the leading couple is a high-stakes position within the show’s narrative structure.

The anticipation for Bridgerton Season 4 is immense, and Leung's casting as a pivotal "villain" figure is a testament to her proven dramatic capabilities. This role not only broadens her mainstream appeal but also allows her to tackle the kind of complex, period-drama characters that define the series' critical success.

Speaking Out: Her Powerful Stance on Racism and Cho Chang's Legacy

In a recent series of candid interviews, Katie Leung bravely addressed the intense and often painful racist abuse she received after being cast as Cho Chang in 2005. This revelation has been a major topic of discussion, highlighting the challenges faced by actors of color in major global franchises.

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Leung shared that when she was first cast in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, she was the target of significant online harassment and racist comments from a section of the fan base. This abuse was specifically tied to her East Asian heritage and her role as the first love interest for the title character.

The most shocking revelation was her claim that she was instructed by her publicists at the time to deny the existence of the racist attacks. "I was like, ‘Oh, but I saw what they wrote about me,’" Leung recalled. "And then I was like, ‘No, no, no, deny it. Deny that that’s happening.’"

By speaking out years later, Leung has used her platform to shed light on the systemic issues within the entertainment industry and the pressure placed on young, minority actors to remain silent about their experiences. Her honesty has resonated deeply with fans and critics, adding a layer of significance to her career beyond her on-screen performances. The experience, while difficult, has clearly informed her subsequent choices and her commitment to authenticity in her work and public life.

Beyond Film: Voice Acting, Theatre, and Other Major Roles

While Harry Potter and the upcoming Bridgerton role dominate headlines, Katie Leung has built a formidable reputation as a versatile performer, particularly in the realm of voice acting and theatre, which are critical to her topical authority as a serious actress.

The Success of Caitlyn Kiramman in Arcane

One of her most celebrated roles in recent years is her voice work as Caitlyn Kiramman in the critically acclaimed Netflix animated series, Arcane. Based on the popular video game League of Legends, Arcane has been praised for its stunning animation and complex storytelling. Leung’s portrayal of Caitlyn, the resilient and determined "Sheriff of Piltover," has been a fan favorite, introducing her to a new generation of viewers and showcasing her range as a voice actor. The success of Arcane has further solidified her standing in the global entertainment landscape.

A Commitment to Stage Work

Leung is also an accomplished stage actress, having trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Her theatre credits are extensive and demonstrate her commitment to the craft, including roles in productions such as:

• The World of Extreme Happiness (National Theatre)
• Wild Swans (Young Vic)
• The White Pearl (Royal Court Theatre)
• Snow in Midsummer (Royal Shakespeare Company)

Her stage work has allowed her to explore challenging dramatic roles, providing a strong foundation for her transition into complex television characters like Ash in the sci-fi series The Peripheral and Maggie Duncan in the crime thriller Chemistry of Death. Her appearance at events like Bahrain Comic Con in May 2025 is a direct result of her diverse and successful career across multiple mediums, including her popular voice role in Arcane.

What’s Next for Katie Leung in 2025 and Beyond

Katie Leung’s career is on a powerful upward trajectory, defined by high-profile projects and a new-found willingness to speak her truth. With her anticipated role as Lady Araminta Gun in Bridgerton Season 4, she is set to become a major talking point in the world of prestige television. Fans are eagerly awaiting her performance, which is expected to be a dramatic and memorable turn as a "mother-slash-villain."

Her continued work in animation, particularly the expected return of Arcane, and her consistent appearances in quality British television dramas like Annika and The Nest, prove that she is an actress dedicated to quality over quantity. Katie Leung’s journey is evolving from a fantasy franchise icon to a respected, versatile, and outspoken leading actress, making her one of the most compelling figures to watch in the coming years.